MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team came out victorious against the Wayne State Wildcats 79-69 Friday evening at Taylor Center.
 
With the win, the Mavericks improve to  10-7 (7-6 NSIC), while the Wildcats drop to 13-6 (8-5 NSIC).
 
The Maverick defense was suffocating in the first quarter by putting full court pressure on the Wildcat ballhandlers.  Senior Taylor Drost had a six-point quarter to help lead the Mavericks to a score of 19-11 at the end of the first quarter.

After the Wildcats cut the Maverick lead down to six to start the second quarter, the Mavericks went on a 13-2 run with junior Tayla Stuttley scoring five of those 13. The Maverick offense kept pouring it on as the quarter went on and took a 47-27 lead into the half.

The Mavericks had three players in double figures by halftime. Freshman Joey Batt, Stuttley and sophomore Kristi Fett all with 10. 

The Wildcats began the third quarter on an 8-0 run cutting the Mavericks' lead to 12.  The Mavericks stayed resilient and took a 63-48 lead after the third quarter. The Mavericks came out hot in the fourth quarter going on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 19.  The Wildcats cut the Mavericks lead to nine, but that is as close as they could get it as the Mavericks iced the game with late game free throws. 

Fett finished the game with a double-double as she tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds, while sophomore Maddy Olson added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.  Batt added 12 points off the bench for the Mavericks, while junior Rachel Shumski added 10 points and five rebounds.

As a team, the Mavericks tallied 14 steals and forced 21 Wildcat turnovers.

Erin led the WSC offense with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Brittany Bongartz and Halley Busse each added 10 points.
 
Minnesota State will continue its home stand Saturday as the team will take on the Augustana Vikings with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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